Registration

Important Dates

Graduation/Transfer Fair

Student RSVPs, Cap & Gown purchases, and Commencement details will be on site.

Students participating in the Graduation/Transfer Ceremony will need to complete an RSVP card at Grad Fair on April 12, 2017. If you miss it, please come to the Student Development Office and ask for the RSVP Card. Parking and other information will be included.

Graduation Petition

Commencement Day Details

Parking/Transportation

Parking will be provided for all Faculty, Staff, and Students. Guests will be able to use street parking, which becomes free at 6:00 PM throughout downtown San Jose. Be sure to check parking restrictions on any given street.For information about public transportation, please go to the San Jose Theaters' transportation website.

Photographer

Professional photography company Grad Images will photograph each student participating in the Commencement Ceremony. Students will receive an email from the photographer approximately 72 hours following the ceremony and can purchase additional pictures directly from the company.

Check In

Participants should arrive to check-in by 4:30 PM wearing their cap and gown. Students will be given their RSVP information card at the check-in stations set-up by last name. Please do not bring any valuables at this time. Students will receive a printed program as you check-in.

Note: Transfer students who have RSVP'd with the Transfer Center will receive a white stole during check-in.

Tassels are worn on the RIGHT SIDE of your cap. Two lines will be formed.

Line Up

Line up begins at 5:15 PM. Once you have checked in and have your information card, please proceed to the line-up area located around the corner from check-in and between Counseling and Business buildings. The order of the line-up is as follows:

Transfer Only (Blue dots)

Certificate Candidates Only (Green dots)

Certificate & Degree candidates (Yellow dots)

Degree candidates Only (Red dots)

Transfer Students

Transferring students receiving a degree or certificate should line up and sit based on degree or certificate accomplishments. Students transferring only and not receiving a degree or certificate will be seated in a designated area. In lieu of cap or gown, the desired attire for Transferring students is “dressy casual” (i.e., a black dress or black shirt and slacks).

Processional into the Ceremony

Lines will be led by faculty marshals and staff ushers who will lead students into the ceremony location. Stay in a straight line and find a seat quickly. The two lines will split off once in the ceremony site, so changing seats will not be possible. Students will walk through the faculty/staff tunnel down the center aisle. Upon arrival at appropriate row and seat, students should remain standing until College President Brad Davis asks for everyone to be seated.

Presentation and Announcement of Students

When it is time to walk across the stage, a faculty/staff leader will ask students to exit their row and form a line. A picture will be taken shortly before students proceed up the ramp. Please hand information card to the readers at the bottom of the ramp of the stage. Readers will confirm the pronunciation of the full name. When a student's name is called, he or she proceed up the ramp and collect degree or certificate holder and/or transfer scroll with left hand and shake hands with the dignitaries with the right hand. Students will then have their picture taken with President Brad Davis, proceed down the ramp for another picture, and then be directed to return to their seat.

Recessional Out of the Ceremony and to Celebration at the Campus Center

At the conclusion of the ceremony, students will be asked to turn your tassel to the left side. You will be led out of the ceremony down the center aisle by your faculty/staff leader and should keep walking in line until reception celebration. Do not stop. Family and friends will meet students at the reception area immediately following the ceremony.

Volunteers

As part of the Commencement Volunteer Team, you will be asked to attend a luncheon (date and time to be announced) to thank you for your contributions as a volunteer, where we will run through the basic information for volunteering at Commencement.

On Commencement Day, May 25, all Volunteers will be asked to meet at the Center for the Performing Arts for a volunteer walk through at 12:00 PM. Upon finishing the walk through, we will also be treating all volunteers to lunch. After the Ceremony, there will be a Reception for Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers, and we hope you will join us. Please consider volunteering, we appreciate your time and help during this important day for our students.

Volunteer Needs

Student Greeters: 10

Marshals & Ushers: 8

Student Check-In: 8

Check-in Faculty & Staff: 4

Stroller and Balloon Check-In: 2

Hospitality Room Helpers: 2

Program Greeters: 6

(Dis)Ability Seating: 2

If you are able and willing to volunteer, we would love to have you. Please reply to the Keeping Up With Commencement email to Yalem Lakew: yalem.lakew@westvalley.edu to sign up to volunteer.

For any remaining questions please email me at sean.pepin@westvalley.edu or wait for the volunteer lunch where additional questions will be answered.